24 AVIARIES, BIRD-ROOMS AND CAGES. 



door to it, we can by a simple arrangement of either 

 cords or wire, close it from the outside when necessary; 

 so that in the depth of winter the door can be closed 

 afer our pets have gone to bed, and they are then com- 

 fortable for the night. 



The other method, as the sketch shows, is simply 

 to board the end to within about two feet of the floor; 

 the birds can enter the building by flying under this, 

 and as they generally roost as high' as possible, will be 

 away from the draught during the night. 



A RUSTIC DESIGN*. 



Fig. 18 (full-page plate) shows a building erected 

 as shelter for the inmates of the aviaries; the interior 

 is divided, so that a portion is given to each flight. 

 This has been in use for some years, the birds doing 

 well in it, and being surrounded by evergreens, it is 

 fairly well sheltered. The doors at one side (as shown) 

 are used for cleaning purposes. 



The birds enter and leave the building by small 

 unglazed windows, similar to the one shown in Fig. 17. 

 A hinged shutter, to close at will, is useful during the 

 periodical cleansing of the interior. The walls are 

 plastered, and painted to represent a timbered structure. 

 The thatched roof is an ideal one; warm in winter, cool 

 and pleasant in the summer. 



Some will possibly like to build a place for their 

 birds directly, outside a window, so that their feathered 

 friends are always in view. In such a case the windows 

 should be protected with wire. This may be made to 

 fit the framework, and be kept in position by screws or 

 buttons, so that the window may easily be cleaned when 

 necessary. 



COVERED TOP IMPORTANT. 



Unless the flight is very large, no matter what the 

 position it is always advisable to cover over the top, 

 for it will be found in practice that small birds will 

 sometimes sit for hours out in the open during wet 

 weather, until their feathers are saturated with moisture. 

 I once saw a cock Canary do this. He was hardly 

 recognisable, looking in fact as if he had just been 



